Three train services run to Machu Picchu, and the choice between the panoramic Vistadome and the budget Expedition (both PeruRail) is the one most travellers make. Here is how the two actually compare.
Vistadome: the panoramic ride
- Wraparound glass. The Vistadome has panoramic side windows and skylight panels that let you look up at the walls of the Urubamba gorge, which the standard carriages don’t.
- Reclining seats, air conditioning, snack and drink service included. A step up in comfort without going all the way to Hiram Bingham prices.
- Cultural performance on the return leg: a short Andean dance and a textile fashion show. Not everyone’s cup of coca tea, but it is part of the fare.
Expedition: the practical choice
- Significantly cheaper. On a round trip the difference adds up to real money, often enough to fund an extra night in the Sacred Valley.
- Standard windows, no skylights, bench-style seating. The view through the side window is still excellent — this is the Urubamba gorge either way.
- Snacks and drinks are available for purchase but not included.
How to choose
If this is the only train you’ll take in Peru and the point of the trip is the ride, pay for the Vistadome. If you’ve already spent money on the Sacred Valley hotel and you just need to be at Aguas Calientes by lunch, the Expedition does the same job for less.
Both run on the same track and arrive at the same station. Book your tickets at Peruways.
